Controls for brine supply systems



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2,922,433 coNrnoLs non' sansa SUPPLY srs'rnMs Thomas W. Techler, NorthSt. Paul, Minn., assigner, by Y mesne assignments, to Union Tank CarCompany,

Chicago, lll., a corporation of New `lersey Application March 10, 1958,SerialNo. 720,224

9 Claims. (Cl. 137-4391) This invention relates to controls for brinesupply systems for water softeners, including improved valve means for asystem having a brine tank, a conduit for alternately withdrawing brinefrom the tank and then replacing brine with a fresh supply of liquid,usually water, in a predetermined accurately measured quantity.

It is an object of my invention to provide novel and reliable valvemeans which combine the advantageous features of float actuated valvesand a iiuid pressure activated valve responsive to variations in thefluid pressure in a conduit connected to the brine supply system forcontrolling alternate withdrawal of brine fromthe tank and replacementof brine with a fresh supply of liquid.

A further object is to provide in a control of the class described ameasuring container for replacement liquid disposed to receive liquidfrom and discharge it through a valve casing containing a first valvehaving iiuid pressure responsive actuating means and a second valvehaving oat actuating means whereby a charge of replacement liquid isdischarged into the brine tank when a predetermined volume of liquid hasbeen received in the measuring container.

A further and particular object is to provide for a brine tank adaptedto contain a' large quantity of `solid salt, means for withdrawingconcentrated brine from the lower portion of the tank in combinationwith means for delivering accurately measured quantities of replacementliquid to the upper surface of the body o-f solid salt in the tank s othat the replacement liquid is caused to iilter down through the solidsalt before being withdrawn as concentrated brine.

The invention also includes certain other novel features of constructionwhich will be pointed out in the following specification and claims.

Referringto the accompanying drawing which illustrates, by way ofexample andfnot for the purpose of limitation, 'a preferred embodimentof my invention:

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional View taken through the brinetank, measuring container and portions of the valve control means, otherportions being shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 shows the first or upper valve stem in section and a bottom Viewof the lower centering means for the stem, and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of the valvecasing, somewhat enlarged, and details of the inlet passage and checkball contained therein.

As shown in Fig. 1, my brine supply system has a relatively large brinetank 4 adapted to store a large quantity of solid salt or other solidregenerating material. The solid material may extend to an elevationindicated at 5 below the main flow control valve means and measuringcontainer, hereinafter described. Liquid for forming brine is suppliedto the upper surface of the body of solid material in the tank 4 from ameasuring container 6.

This container is supported inthe upper portion of the tank4 and,likethe tank, is of the open type which' may be provided with a cover(not shown) vented to atmosphere in suitable manner. A conduit 7 isprovided for alternately supplying liquid to the container 6 andwithdrawing brine from the lower portion of the tank 4;

Mounted within the lower portion of the container 6 is valve mechanismhaving a casing indicated generally at- 8 and forming a chamber 9connected by an inlet passage 10 to the conduit 7. Extending upwardlyfrom the chamber 9 in the casing 8 is a rst outlet passage `11 for iiowof liquid from chamber 8 into the containerv 6. Flow through passage 11is under control of a first valve member 12. This valve member has aseat surrounding the lower end of the passage 11 and is connected by astem 13.to a float 14. Stern 13 is disposed in coaxial relation to thepassage i1 and is confined to substantially verticalmovement by theupper and lower guides. The lower guide, indicated at 15, is iixed onthe stem 13,-ar1d, as shown in detail in Fig. 3, has a pluralityofradially projecting fins 16 formed with downwardly converging outer edgesurfaces adapted to slidably engage a conical upper end portion of thepassage 11 so that this passage is continuously open at its upper end.Valve stem 13 extends vertically through an axial bearing in the float14 and the latter is adjustably fastened to the stem by suitable collars17 each carrying a set screw jfor engagement with the stem.A Above theiioat 14, thevstem 13 projects through and is slidably guided in abearing opening in an upper guide bracket 13.

Flow through inlet passage 1d is under control of a check ball 19 whichonly partially closes the passage when iiow is from the conduit '7 tothe chamber 9 but closes the passage entirely at an axial seat near theleft end of passage when sub atmospheric pressure is created in theconduit 7. As indicated in Fig. 4, the seat for check ball 19 at theright end ofL passage 10 may be mutilated as by notches 10a to providefor flow to the chamber 9 ata controlled minimum rate during the fillingof the tank 4. When ow inv this direction stops, check ball 19 drops toa position `such as that indicated in Fig. 4, thereby opening passage 19for maximum rate of How.

A second outlet1 passage indicated generally at 2i) extends from thelower portion of the container 6 to discharge liquid into the tank 4.This passage has inlet ports 21 communicating with the lower portion ofthe container 6 and includes branch distributor pipes 22 arrangedtospray make-up liquid on the upper surface of the solid regeneratingmaterial in the tank 4. Each of the pipes 22 is formed with amultiplicity of outlet :openingsy preferably of elongated slot form, asindicated.`

Interposed in the second outlet passage 2li to control flow kthrough itis a second valve memberl 23 having a stem extending upwardly andconnected to a iiuicll pressure actuated diaphragm 24. The upper side ofthis Idiaphragm is subject to uid pressure in the chamber 9 and thelower side to substantially atmospheric pressure. A spring 25 isconfined at the lower side of the diaphragm 24 to bias the latterupwardly and Valve member 23 toward closed position on a seat formed inthe passage 20. A vertically disposed second conduit 26 is provided forwithdrawing brine from the lower portion of the tank 4. A check ball 27is disposed to close the upper end of the conduit 26 when fluid at apressure substantially above atmospheric pressure is being fed to thepassage 10 through the conduit 7. A iioat guide tube 2S is connected atits upper end to the container 6 and is disposed in spaced coaxialrelationship to the conduit 26. Intake distributors 29 projectsubstantially horizontally from the lower end portion of the guide tube28 and. are arranged to supply brineto the interior of this tube.

Patented Jan. 26,1960 k Mounted within the lower end portion of the tube28 in spaced relation thereto and supported on the lower end oftheconduit 26`is an annular head Sil. Downwardly convergingpassages 31 areformed in the head 30 with their lower ends in continuous communicationwith the conduit 26. The upper ends of passages 31 are openv at theupper face of the head 30 and are arranged to be closed by a oatactuated valve member 32 xed on the lower face of a oat 33. This oat isgenerally cylindrical in shape and lits loosely in the guide tube 28.

` Thus the oat 33 and member 32 are ireeiy movable vertically along theconduit 26 in response to changes in the level of liquid in the tank 4.The solid regenerating material in the tank 4 is coarse enough so thatthe tube 23 and intake distributors 29 exclude such material from theiloat 33, member 32 and conduit 26.

Operation Ordinarily, line pressure is maintained in the conduit 7except during regeneration when sub-atmospheric pressure is created inthis conduit and in conduit 26 to draw brine from the brine tank 4. Thisline pressure normally retains valve member 12 in its closed positionand fluid pressure in chamber 9 actuates diaphragm 24 tof hold valvemember 23 in its open position.` A char-ge of brine in the tank 4 nowholds oat 33 and valve member 32 in raised position, opening outletpassages 31 to the lower end of conduit 26.

To withdraw brine from the tank 4, suitable sub-atmospheric pressure iscreated in the conduits 7 and 26. yThe required suction eiect may beobtainedby the use of an aspirator or other brine draw mechanism of-thetype commonly provided for water softening apparatus. The resultingreverse ow of liquid and air through passage 10 causes check ball 19 tomove to the left and to close this passage after a momentary delayduring which sulhcient fluid ilows past check ball 19 to releasepressure in chamber 9 and allow diaphragm 24 to move up and valve member12 to move down to positions shown in Fig. l. The inertia of check ball19 and size of passage 10 is 'inflicient to cause this' delay whichallows for the passage'of the small amount of iluid necessary to releasepressure in chamber 9 and make the diaphragm24 operative to c lose valvemember 23, while the check ball 27 is drawn away from its seat at theupper end of the conduit 26 land valve member 12 moves to open positionby gravity. Brine is now drawn from the lower portion of the tank 4through the inlet distributors 29, past the periphery of the headbrine-draw operation, valve 12 is retained in its closed position by uidpressure in the chamber 9. As the level of brine in the lower portion ofthe tank rises, oat 33 moves up from its lower position indicated inbroken lines in Fig. 1 thereby causing valve member 32 to open passages31 leading to the lower end of brine draw conduit 26.

Complete cut-olf of ow into the container 6 is insured by my arrangementfor accurately guiding the valve member 12 to and from its seat. As soonas sutcient pressure builds up above the diaphragm 24 to olset the biasof spring 25, following the closing of the valve member 12, valve member23 is actuated to open passage 20 and thereby discharge the contents ofthe measuring container into the brine tank. Thus accurately measuredquantities of replacement liquid are assured for each cycle of operationin a system wherein both the brine tank and measuring container are opento atmospheric pressure. Y

.l. In a brine supply system having a brine tank, a measuring containerfor a charge of replacement liquid and a first conduit for alternatelysupplying liquid to said tank and for withdrawing brine therefrom; valvemeans for controlling ilow to and from said tank and containercomprising, a casing deiining a chamber, an inlet passageconnecting saidconduit to said chamber, a first outlet passage` for flow from saidchamber to said container, al second outlet passage for flow from thelower portion of said container to said tank, a rst valve member forcontrolling ow through said first outlet passage, a tloat operativelyconnected to said rst valve member to close said rst outlet passage whenliquid in said container reaches a predetermined high level, a secondvalve member for closing said second outlet passage, pressure responsivemeans subject to fluid pressure in said chamber and operativelyconnected to said second valve member to open said second outletpassage,

a second conduit extending from said first conduit to the lower portionof said tank to withdraw liquid therefrom. 2. Valve means in accordancewith claim'l in which a check valve is interposed in said second conduitto out off lowrto the lower portion of said tank when liquid 30, downthrough the passages 31 to the lower enld'of the duit-26 then holdsmember 32 in securely closed rela-VV tion to the upper ends of passages31 thereby preventing the entry of air into the brine draw conduit.

To replenish liquid in the tank 4, liquid is fed under pressure aboveatmospheric through the conduit 7 and llows'at a controlled rate throughpassage 10 to chamber 9 and thence through passage 11 into container 6.As the elevation of liquid in this container rises and approaches itsupper or desired high level the float 14 rises until it causes valvemember 12 to close passage 11. This leaves a measured volume of liquidin the container 6. Pressure now builds up in chamber 9 at the upperside ofV diaphragm 24 until valve member 23 is moved down to its openposition. The liquid content of container 6 is thereby caused to flow bygravity through outlet ports 21, passage 20 and distributors 22 and isthereby sprayed is owing from said iirst conduit to said chamber.

- 3. Valve means in accordance with claim 1 in Awhich a check valve isinterposed in said inlet passage to close the same when liquid is owingunder sub-atmospheric pressure from the second conduit -to the rstconduit.

4. Valve means in accordance with claim l in which said second valvemember is downwardly opening in relation to an annular seat in'saidsecond outlet passage and in which said pressure responsivemeanscomprises a diaphragm operatively connected to saidsecond valve memberand spring means biasing said diaphragm and second valve member towardclosed position, the upper side of vsaid diaphragm being subject to uidpressure in said chamber.

5.'Valve means in accordance with claim l wherein Y said second outletpassage includes a pluralityvo branch outlet distributors disposed tospray replacement liquid on the upper surface of solid regeneratingmaterial 1n said tank.

6. In a brine supply system having a brine tank adapted to contain asupply of solid regenerating material, a measuring container for acharge of replacement liquid supported within the upper portion of saidtank and a first conduit for alternately supplying liquid to saidcontainer and for withdrawing brine from said tank; valve means forcontrolling flow to and from said tank' and container comprising, acasing delining a chamber, an inlet passage connecting said conduit tosaid chamber, a iirst outlet passage extending from said chamber toadmit liquid to said container, means forming a second outlet passageextending from the lower portion of said container to discharge liquidinto said tank at an elevation above the regenerating material therein,a tirst valve member disposed to control ow through said first outletpassage, a float operatively connected to said iirst valve member toclose said 4first outlet passage when liquid in said container reaches apredetermined high level, a second valve member normally closing saidsecond outlet passage, uid pressure responsive means in said chamberoperatively connected to said second valve member to open said secondoutlet passage, a second conduit extending from said first conduit tothe lower portion of said tank, and a oat operated valve member disposedto cut off flow from said tank into the lower end of said second conduitwhen the elevation of liquid reaches a predetermined low level in saidtank.

7. A brine supply system comprising, a brine tank, a measuring containerfor a charge of replacement liquid, a rst conduit for alternatelysupplying liquid to said tank and for withdrawing brine therefrom, avalve casing deiining a chamber, an inlet passage connecting saidconduit to said chamber, a rst outlet passage for ow from said chamberto said container, a second outlet passage for ow from the lower portionof said container to said tank, a rst Valve member for controlling owthrough said first outlet passage, a oat operatively connected to saidfirst valve member to close said rst outlet passage when liquid in saidcontainer reaches a predetermined high level, a second valve member forclosing said second outlet passage, pressure responsive means subject touid pressure in said chamber and operatively connected to said secondvalve member to open said second outlet passage, a second conduitextending from said rst conduit to the lower portion of said tank, andmeans for cutting off the flow from said tank to the lower end of saidsecond conduit when the liquid reaches a predetermined low level in saidtank.

8. Valve means in accordance with claim 6 in which said iloat operatedvalve member is contained in a vertically disposed tubular guideexcluding the solid regenerating material in said tank from contact withsaid oat operated valve member.

9. Valve means in accordance with claim 8 in which means are providedfor admitting brine to the lower end portion of said vertically disposedtubular guide for said float comprising, an apertured intake distributorextending substantially horizontally from the lower end portion of saidtubular guide, a passage extending from said distributor to the lowerend of said second conduit, said oat operated valve member beingdisposed to close said passage when the liquid reaches a predeterminedlow level in said tank.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,149,675 Nix et al Aug. 10, 1915 1,956,656 Rush et a1. May 1, 19342,228,552 Arbogast Jan. 14, 1941 2,240,102 Textor Apr. 29, 19412,509,880 Pelton May 30, 1950 2,695,626 Riche Nov. 30, 1954 2,794,342Franklin June 4, 1957

